While it apparently remains unclear whether the interest is mutual, the 30-year-old pop star has reportedly recently "reached out" to The X Factor to express her interest in serving as a second-season judge. The X Factor did not reply to phone calls seeking comment, according to Us.

Earlier this month, Cowell -- who also created and produces The X Factor -- shot down subsequent reports that the show was considering Beyonce Knowles, Elton John and Mariah Carey as replacements for Abdul and Scherzinger.

Since then, additional reports that Janet Jackson and Fergie may also serve as new judges have surfaced.